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MEIOTIC CHROMOSOME CONFIGURATIONS IN RHOEO SPATHACEA (SWARTZ) STEARN

BUSHREEN JAHAN AND AHSAN A. VAHIDY*

Abstract: Rhoeo spachacea exhibits uncommon and unique chromosomal configurations at diakinesis and metaphase I in the form of rings or chains. Chain configurations range from a chain of two to twelve chromosomes with every intermediate size in one, two or three groups. A chain of twelve chromosomes was the common configuration than ring. In the case of two chains per cell highest frequency (10.71 %) was observed with 7+5 chromosomes and lowest (4.28%) with 10+2 configuration. Different configurations of three chains per cell were found in 0.7-4.28% cells. However by comparisons of chromosome configurations in R spathacea studied by different workers significant variations were observed. These variations could be due to the use of different clones of Rhoeo or to different horticultural environments.

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Department of Genetics, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.